The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1887-02-17

naif hour gave him no time for reflection
But he was by no means satisfied Of the le-
gality of the last act he had aided and abetted
although he admitted It's rude justice, and
felt he would have done so again. A fear of
this, and an instinct that he might be led into
further complications if he continued to iden-
tify himself with Clinch and Rawlins; the fact
that they had professedly abandoned their
quest. and that it was really supplanted by
the presence of an authorized party whom
they had already come in conflict with-all
this urged him to remain behind. On the
other hand, the apparent desertion of his
comrades at the last moment was opposed
both to his sense of honor and the liking he
had taken to them. But he reflected that he
had already shown his active partisanship,
that he could be of ittlc service to them at
Wild Cat Station, and would be only increas-
ing the distance from his home; and above
all, an impatient longing for Independent
action finally decided him. Il think l will
stay here" he said to Clincb, "unless you
want me-"
Clinch cast a swift and meaning glance at
the enemy, but looked approval. keep
your eyes skinned, and you're good for a
dozen of 'em," he said, sotto voce, and then
turned to Stanner SIm going to take this
paper to Wild Cat. If you want to commu-
nicate with me hereafter you know where l
am to be found, unless"-he smiled grimly-
you'd like to see me outside for few min
utes before goa'
= Al
company, not me-" said Stanner, with an at
tempt to appear at his ease.
Hale accompanied Clinch and Rawlins
through the kitchen to the stables The ost-
Ter, Dick, had already returned to the resc0s
of the snow bound coach.
Il shouldn't like to leave many men alone
with that crowd" said Clinch pressing Hale's
hand; "and 1 wouldn't have allowed your
| staying behind eff l didn't know could bet
my pile on you. Your oiferin' to stay just
puts clean finish on it. Look yer, Hale,
didn't cotton much to you at first; butte you
ever want friend, call on Ringwood Clinch "
"The same here, old man." said Rawlins,
extending his hand as he appeared from a
hurried conference with the old woman al
the woodshed, "and trust to Zeenie to give
you a hint eff there's anythin' underhanded
| goin' on. So long"
Half inclined to resent this implied sugges-
tion of protection, yet half pleased at the idea
| of confidence with the handsome girl he
had seen, Hale returned to the room A
whispered discussion among the party ceased
| on his entering, and an awkward silence fol
| lowed which Hale did not attempt to breal
| as he quietly took his seat again by the fire
He was presently confronted by Stanner
who, with an affectation of easy familiarity
crossed over to the hearth.
"The old kernels id peppery and high
toned when he's got little more than his
| reg'lar three fingers O. corn juice, ehg"
II must beg you to understand distinctly
| Mr.. Stanner," said Hale, with return Of
his habitual precision of statement, "that
| regard any sighting allusion to the gentle
man who has just left not only as in exceed
ingly bad taste coming from you, but very
offensive to myself. If you mean to imply
that he was under the influence of liquor, i,
| is my duty to undeceive you; he was so per
fectly in possession of his faculties as to ex
press not only his own but my opinion Of
| your conduct. You must also admit that ht
was discriminating enough to show his CD
| lection to your company by leavingit. Ire
| gret that circumstances do not make it con
venient for me to exercise that privilege
but if 1 am obliged to put up with YOU
| presence in this room, l strongly insist that
| it is not made uncomfortable with the addition
of your conversation"
The effect of this deliberate and passion
less declaration was more discomposing to
the party than Clinch's fury. Utterly unac
customed to the ideas and language suddenly
confronting them, they were unable to deter
mine whether it was the real expression Of
the speaker, or whether it was vague badi
mage CT affectation to which any reply would
involve them in ridicule. In country ter
rorized by practical joking they did not
doubt but That this was new form of hoax
ing calculated to provoke some response that
would constitute them as victims. The i'm
mediate effect upon them was that complete
silence in regard to himself that Hale de
sired. They drew together again and con
versed in whispers, while Hale, with his eyes
fixed ON the fire, gave himself up to some
what late and useless reflection
He could scarcely realize his position. Fol
however he might look at it, within space
of twelve hours he had not only changed
some of his most cherished opinions, but b,
had acted in accordance with that change il
way that made it seem almost impossible
for him ever to recant In the interests o.
law and order he had engaged in an unlaw
full and disorderly pursuit of criminals, ant
had actually come in conflict, not with th'
criminals, but with the only party appar
emily authorized to pursue them More thar
that, he was finding himself committed to
certain sympathy with the criminals
Twenty-four hours ago, if any one had tolt
him that he would have condoned an illega
act for its abstract justice, OF assisted to com
init an illegal act for the same purpose, h
would have felt himself insulted. That b.
knew he would not now feel it an insult per
picked him still more. In these circum
stances the fact that he was separated from
his family, and as it were from all his pas
life and traditions by a chance accident, di,
not disturb him greatly; indeed, he was fo
the first time little doubtful of their prob
able criticism on his inconsistency, and wa
by no means in hurry to subject himsel
to it.
Lifting his eyes, he was suddenly awar
that the door leading to the kitchen wa
slowly opening. He had thought he heard i
creak once or twice during his deliberate re
ply to Stanner. 1t was evidently movinI
now so as to attract his attention, withou
disturbing the others. 1t presently opene'
sufficiently wide to show the face of Zeenie
who, with gesture of caution toward hi
companions, beckoned him to join her. III
rose carelessly as if going out, and, puttini
on his hat, entered the kitchen as the retreat
ing figure of the young girl glded light.
toward the stables She ascended few opel
steps as if to hay loft, but stopped before
low door. Pushing it open, she preceded hin
into small room, apparently under the roof
which scarcely allowed her to stand upright
By the light of stable lantern hanging fron
a beam he saw that, though poorly furnished
II bore some evidence of feminine taste an
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